India is a land of festivals, and we all celebrate numerous festivals from different regions with great enthusiasm and pomp. Karwa Chauth is one of the most sacred fasting festivals for married women, during which they fast for their husband's long life, good health, and prosperity. While we all know that women fast during the day, many newly married women will be celebrating the festival for the first time like this. So, for all those newbies, we have got you covered. Here's the step-by-step guide on how to celebrate Karwa Chauth with all the customs and rituals. Also it is important to note that the new bride celebrates Karwa Chauth with her mother in her house and not with her mother-in-law.
The first and foremost step for Karwa Chauth is for the woman to wake up before sunrise and perform the custom of Sargi. This is a beautiful tradition where the bride's mother-in-law prepares a special meal for the newlywed bride, filled with fruits, sweets, and savouries. It is customary for the bride to eat this meal before dawn, as she will fast throughout the day. For new brides, their mother-in-law sends the sargi to the bride's mother's house as the girl will be celebrating it there.
Now, this goes without saying that the woman has to fast throughout the day. So, throughout the time, the woman applies mehendi, dresses up and does all the shringar work needed for the main event. As the evening progresses, the anticipation for the moon's appearance grows, bringing with it the joy of breaking the fast.
As evening approaches, women gather with their puja thalis, which include a karwa, an earthen pot symbolising the moon, an idol of Ganesha for blessings, a diya (lamp) for light, a sieve for viewing the moon, and some sweets for the first meal after the fast. The thali is an essential component of the ceremony.
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Karwa Chauth is a holy tradition wherein after preparing the thali, the newly wed brides listen to the katha. This is the story and mythology behind the festivals which describes its significance. After that the new brides perform a puja.
By evening, the women gather on rooftops or an open area to try to spot the moon so that they can break their fast. Once the moon is visible, the pooja and other customary rituals begin.
The first step for the puja will be for the woman to stand on a wooden plank after removing her shoes. This is an act of respect for the mood God. Then, the woman will light the diya of her thali and look at the Moon through her sieve. Then she offers prayers to God for her husband's long life and prosperity.
After praying to the almighty, she offers water, mathri and sweets to the Moon-God. So, one pours some water on the ground from their lota and offer it to the Mood God. Then you throw mathris in the same direction of the water as an offering to the God.
After seeing the Moon, the woman sees her husband through the same sieve. Her husband then feeds her water and her first morsel of food, thus breaking her fast. The husband often presents a gift to his wife as a token of appreciation.
After the fast is broken, couples often visit their elders to seek their blessings for a happy and prosperous married life. This act of seeking blessings from the elders is not just a formality, but a way to show respect and seek their guidance for a successful married life.
Afterwards, the woman will distribute baya to the elders. Baya is a gift sent by the daughter-in-law's mother, including sweets, jewellery, clothes, utensils and more. These are distributed among the elders as an ode of respect and gratitude. Baya also consists of a special gift for the mother-in-law curated by her samdhan.
The day then concludes with a celebratory dinner with family and friends, wherein everyone enjoys a hearty dinner of special dishes and sweets.
Next Read: Significance Of Karwa Chauth: How And Why It's Celebrated In India? The Origin And History Of It
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